From what I've read, Chet Atkins took the "Tennessean" name with him when he left Gretsch for Gibson. Although the Atkins family eventually renewed their relationship with Gretsch, Gibson still has the rights to the "Tennessean" name.

Bear in mind that I read this on the internet, so take it with a barrel of salt.

From what I've read, Chet Atkins took the "Tennessean" name with him when he left Gretsch for Gibson. Although the Atkins family eventually renewed their relationship with Gretsch, Gibson still has the rights to the "Tennessean" name.

Bear in mind that I read this on the internet, so take it with a barrel of salt.

From what I've read, Chet Atkins took the "Tennessean" name with him when he left Gretsch for Gibson. Although the Atkins family eventually renewed their relationship with Gretsch, Gibson still has the rights to the "Tennessean" name.

Bear in mind that I read this on the internet, so take it with a barrel of salt.

Gibson also had Country Gentleman name too .. now Gretsch has it back.. so what is the issue with the Tennessean name I have no clue.. Gibson doesn't even use it if they still have rights to the name.. why not sell it back to Gretsch? Is Gretsch even interested? Maybe they didn't even ask. How did Gretsch get Country Gent name and not Tennessean?

Gibson also had Country Gentleman name too .. now Gretsch has it back.. so what is the issue with the Tennessean name I have no clue.. Gibson doesn't even use it if they still have rights to the name.. why not sell it back to Gretsch? Is Gretsch even interested? Maybe they didn't even ask. How did Gretsch get Country Gent name and not Tennessean?

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That's been my question too. I wonder if Chet was adamant about keeping the CG name as that was one of his songs and it was designed to be his perfect guitar. Tennessee Rose fits a red guitar though, so maybe Gretsch didn't care.

I pretty much remember reading it was a legal thing when Chet left Gretsch for Gibson. I think this is a similar scenario with the 6120/Nashville naming by Gretsch. Never heard anything about it being about color.

It's not a copyright infringement issue, it's a trademark issue. The Tennessean newspaper is not in the musical instrument business, so the name similarity makes no difference there. If that were the case, then you, me, and every other citizen of the state would have cause, as we are all Tennesseans, and state residents have been called Tennesseans for much longer than that janky newspaper has been in existence.